The Cancun Challenge enters its 8th year and has become one of the most popular destination preseason tournaments for womenís teams. Since its inception in 2005, 42 Division I teams have participated from 21 different conferences. The Moon Palace Golf and Spa Resort has played host to the event six previous times (in 2010 the tournament was moved temporarily to the Aventura Spa Palace in Playa del Carmen, Mexico).

This yearís field features six Division I teams including Green Bay (Horizon League), James Madison (Colonial), Minnesota (Big 10), Missouri (SEC), Richmond (Atlantic 10), and Wichita State (Missouri Valley). Each team will play three games in Cancun, Mexico. There is no champion crowned.

This is the third appearance in the Cancun Challenge for James Madison (2008 and 2010) which is the most all time, second appearance for Richmond (2006) and Green Bay (2010), and the first appearance for Minnesota, Missouri, and Wichita State.

James Madison carries a 2-2 record in Cancun Challenge games, Richmond (1-1), and Green Bay (3-0).

The Cancun Challenge is owned and produced by Triple Crown Sports based in Fort Collins, Colo. TCS also organizes the menís Cancun Challenge, womenís Caribbean Classic, and the Pre and Post WNIT. For more information on TCS visit: www.triplecrownsports.com.

Follow the Cancun Challenge on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news and information. During the games in Cancun look for special promotional giveaways on the Cancun Challenge Facebook page.

A Look Back
The tournament has hosted some of the top womenís basketball programs in the country including Duke (2009), Baylor (2005), Oklahoma (2007), Purdue (2011), and Penn State (2010). In 2011, a record ten teams competed in the event. The Big 10 has had the most teams represented in the Cancun Challenge with six (Illinois, Iowa, Michigan State, Minnesota, Penn State, and Purdue). ACC teams hold the best all-time record in Cancun Challenge games at 9-2.

A Unique Experience
The Cancun Challenge is regarded as one of the most unique preseason womenís college basketball tournaments. Teams stay at the all-inclusive Moon Palace Golf and Spa Resort and enjoy all the amenities the resort has to offer. A ballroom is converted into an arena and fans who attend the event get an up-close perspective of their team while enjoying an all-inclusive setting.